LocalBy Kath Gannaway
WURUNDJERI elder Doreen Garvey Wandin presented 10 points for reconciliation at the launch last week of the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ Reconciliation Strategy and Action Plan.
Peace – no more fighting, forgiveness, unity and equality, pure collective satisfaction, better health, optimism, knowledge and change were some of the goals which she listed as being pivotal to achieving reconciliation.
They had evolved she said through meeting and talking with people about reconciliation over the past two years.
She congratulated the shire on a plan she said offered Aboriginal people a chance to do things for themselves as equal citizens.
“This action plan means the shire will help us, the Aboriginal people, to do things for ourselves, our own way, and still enjoy all of the comforts of living in Australia in the 21st Century,” she said.
The three-year Strategy and Action Plan, officially launched at the Meeting Place in Healesville, was developed in consultation with the Shire of Yarra Ranges Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC), key community leaders and shire staff.
The 40-page document was symbolically handed over to Yarra Ranges Mayor Tim Heenan by IAC co-chairs Clive Larkman and Robynne White before a gathering of indigenous and non-indigenous community members, shire councillors and staff and representatives of a number of organisations who will play a role in delivering the 14 objectives contained in the report.
The strategy identifies as its number one priority maintaining an indigenous voice on indigenous issues.
Acknowledging and protecting Indigenous cultural heritage, engaging Indigenous young people, promoting health and well being and promoting business and employment opportunities are also identified as priorities.
IAC member Irene Swindle detailed the history of the shire’s move to acknowledge indigenous residents with the formation in the mid-90s of a reference group and appointment of an indigenous worker.
She said employment was the key to achieving true reconciliation.
“Employment gives people self esteem, pride and the means to make choices in their lives. It’s a no-go if a person is on the dole,” she said.
Cr Heenan said the three-year plan outlined council’s commitment to working in partnership with indigenous residents to achieve reconciliation.
“It provides a comprehensive and succinct framework that will guide our future work and commits us to a practical plan of action to be taken in partnership with the indigenous community,” he said.
The launch highlighted aspects of local indigenous culture commencing with a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri/Wandoon member Alan Wandin and closing with a performance by Heales-ville’s Mungart Yonga Dance Group.
